Public talks added to Bute science fest programme

Craig Borland

The final details have now been confirmed for a FREE celebration of all things scientific taking place in Rothesay next weekend.

The Middle of Scotland Science Festival - known for short as MoSSFest - will take place at Rothesay Pavilion on Saturday, June 20, from 11am to 4pm, and features a huge variety of scientific exhibits on themes including astronomy, biology, rockets, cosmic rays and more.

In addition to the main event on the Saturday, however, there will also be two events for members of the public at the Isle of Bute Discovery Centre Cinema on Friday, June 19.

The first, at 5.30pm, will feature a talk and film on Scottish scientist James Clerk Maxwell, known as ‘Scotland’s Forgotten Einstein’, introduced by one of the festival’s three organisers, Professor Martin Hendry from the University of Glasgow.

The film, ‘A Sense of Wonder’, has been produced to mark International Year of Light and tells the story of the man often referred to as “the father of modern physics”, who is responsible for the theory of electromagnetism and who also made fundamental contributions to mathematics, astronomy and engineering.

Then, at 7.15pm, another of the festival’s organisers, Professor Kevin O’Dell - also an academic at the University of Glasgow - will give a short talk on the scientific studies of ageing before a special screening of the recent Hollywood hit movie The Age of Adaline.

The talk is free but normal admission charges apply for the film; contact the Isle of Bute Discovery Centre on (01700) 502151 to book your seat.